A trip to Belo Horizonte is worth the time and cost

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Even for a first-timer, travelling to South America's biggest city evokes a certain deja vu.

Belo Horizonte has been described as the tropical version of New York City.

Being compared to such an exciting city as New York is a good gauge in considering the option to visit the city.

Most people would jump at the chance to visit New York, so don’t miss the chance to experience this vibrant Brazilian city.

Experiencing the charm of Belo Horizonte in just two or three days will take some planning before arriving.

Book a morning flight from Rio and you will have that afternoon and the following day to enjoy the city’s main attractions.

To get a good feel for the city and its history, start with an afternoon tour at the Museum of Arts and Crafts. This popular cultural venue is located in the historical downtown area. It occupies two pavilions housed in architecturally impressive train stations connected by an underground tunnel. At this one stop, visitors have the opportunity to view the many contributions made by workers and artisans in the country’s history as well as admire the architectural heritage of the city.

The large public square outside the main entrance has been chosen as the location for the Fan Fest during the 2014 FIFA World Cup games in Belo Horizonte. This has resulted in a number of restaurants and shops opening up and provides a chance to enjoy some local cuisine. Belo Horizonte is becoming the trendsetting hub for the global beauty and fashion market. Many fashionistas travel to the city just to be able to purchase designer labels that are not available outside the country. Only five per cent of the goods made in Brazil are exported which leaves a whopping 95 per cent ready for purchase inside the country. That should keep the shoppers in your group busy for your second day in the city.

Enjoying the evenings will be great fun as the nightlife is part of the Belo Horizonte experience. It is world renowned as the bar capital of Brazil and it is safe to say there is more than one bar on every corner. The selection of cold beers and bar food are legendary.

Your timing for visiting in April puts you in the right time frame for participating in the annual bar contest Comida de Buteco. This celebration last the whole month with the bars all competing for the right to brag about the status of their establishments. Tasty culinary dishes are offered along with cold beers to convince patrons to vote for the owners. Judging is also done on cleanliness and attitude of the staff so expect to be treated well.

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